Electric BIAB Build
After lots of careful research on the HBT forum, I settled on a plan to build an electric kettle for 5 gallon batches using the BIAB (brew in a bag) process. I opted to go electric for several reasons. First, I liked the self-contained nature of brewing in a single vessel. I also like being able to brew in a dedicated space without having to take over the kitchen. Third, even with limiting myself to 5 gallon brews, there is barely enough room on our stove-top to heat my 11-gallon kettle. Fourth, with a sufficiently high-powered heating element, I can achieve mash and boil temperatures more quickly than on the stove-top. Fifth, an electric element controlled by a PID (progressive, integrative, derivative) temperature controller will maintain mash temperatures much more precisely than on the stove-top. Its not quite set it and forget it, but close. Finally, I like the DIY nature of building the controller with the help of my dad, a retired electrical engineer. We used to build Heathkits together when I was a kid, so its kind of nostalgic.
Here's the Bayou Classic kettle on my stove top -- not much room!
Installing GFCI Protection
Ground fault protection is mandatory for any application that involves both water and electricity. Given the frequency of boil-overs and spills during brewing, and given the presence of 4500 watt/240v heating element, the need for ground fault protection is obvious.
Im planning on setting up the e-brewery next to our washer/dryer and directly in front of an exterior window. Theres already a countertop there and its right next to the 240v dryer outlet. Although we dont have an utility stink, the spot is right next to our basement bathroom. The spot should work well for ventilation and convenience.
We wired a separate 4-prong outlet directly from the dryer outlet and will replace the 30-amp breaker on that circuit with a GFCI breaker. Of course, this means that I cannot operate the dryer and brew at the same time, but thats a reasonable tradeoff when compared to the price of running a new, dedicated circuit.
Here's the spot:
After lots of careful research on the HBT forum, I settled on a plan to build an electric kettle for 5 gallon batches using the BIAB (brew in a bag) process. I opted to go electric for several reasons. First, I liked the self-contained nature of brewing in a single vessel. I also like being able to brew in a dedicated space without having to take over the kitchen. Third, even with limiting myself to 5 gallon brews, there is barely enough room on our stove-top to heat my 11-gallon kettle. Fourth, with a sufficiently high-powered heating element, I can achieve mash and boil temperatures more quickly than on the stove-top. Fifth, an electric element controlled by a PID (progressive, integrative, derivative) temperature controller will maintain mash temperatures much more precisely than on the stove-top. Its not quite set it and forget it, but close. Finally, I like the DIY nature of building the controller with the help of my dad, a retired electrical engineer. We used to build Heathkits together when I was a kid, so its kind of nostalgic.
Here's the Bayou Classic kettle on my stove top -- not much room!
Installing GFCI Protection
Ground fault protection is mandatory for any application that involves both water and electricity. Given the frequency of boil-overs and spills during brewing, and given the presence of 4500 watt/240v heating element, the need for ground fault protection is obvious.
Im planning on setting up the e-brewery next to our washer/dryer and directly in front of an exterior window. Theres already a countertop there and its right next to the 240v dryer outlet. Although we dont have an utility stink, the spot is right next to our basement bathroom. The spot should work well for ventilation and convenience.
We wired a separate 4-prong outlet directly from the dryer outlet and will replace the 30-amp breaker on that circuit with a GFCI breaker. Of course, this means that I cannot operate the dryer and brew at the same time, but thats a reasonable tradeoff when compared to the price of running a new, dedicated circuit.
Here's the spot: